Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board reviews proposed strategic plan

Prior Lake American

The Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools district would focus more on providing a safe and supportive environment for students and on arts programs under the proposed changes to its strategic plan.

The strategic plan guides the tens of millions of dollars the district spends on educational programs and services each year. On Nov. 1, more than 130 students, staff, parents and residents met at Prior Lake High School to provide input and direction for what could be changed about the plan.

“I really do believe as a district, we live the strategic plan,” Superintendent Dr. Teri Staloch said at the strategic plan review on Nov. 1. “It is the focus of our work, and I’m very proud of that, and I hope we’ve earned the trust of the community that we are committed to what our strategic plan calls us to do.”

The feedback was then compiled by a consultant and reviewed by an administration team before a draft was brought to the Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board during a work session on Monday.

One of the current plan’s directions regarding technology and 21st century skills is proposed to be removed and integrated into some of the other strategic directions. Several community members said during the Nov. 1 review that students should be focusing on 22nd century skills instead.

Rather than focusing on specific skills, the district plans to expand so-called E-STEAM programs throughout the district under the proposed plan.

Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools is an E-STEM district, meaning it emphasizes environmental education, science, technology, engineering and math. During the work session, several board members proposed adding the “A” to recognize and promote the arts in the district.

“It’s a matter of changing a term to make sure it doesn’t get dropped, not that it’s a reflection that we are not emphasizing it,” board member Mary Frantz said. “I think it’s more important that you’re living it regardless of what the title is.”

A new direction regarding providing a safe and supportive environment for students is proposed to be added to the strategic plan as well. Much of the feedback from the Nov. 1 meeting focused on both the emotional and social wellness of students as well as maximizing their physical safety, Staloch said during the work session.

An amended strategic plan will be brought before the school board in December for approval.

“Coming forward, we believe these recommendations honor the work and elevate the work to a new level,” Staloch said.